Occlusive dressing

ABSTRACT

The present occlusive dressing is particularly adapted to provide an airtight waterproof dressing for use in covering socalled &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;wet soak&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; bandages and other dressings which include salves and ointments used in the treatment of various skin diseases wherein it is important that air be excluded from the dressed area and moisture and heat retained. The dressing comprises a relatively thin, one-piece latex tube closed at one end and open at the other end and provided with an integral novel retaining band at the open end thereof. The band comprises a plurality of ribs intersecting to form a series of pockets or suction cups. The dressing is rolled or drawn over the dressed wound, for example an injured finger, and is held in position by the suctionlike effect of the pockets against the finger. The ribs provide in effect a series of dam-like ridges which aid in rendering the dressing airtight. No additional tape or other means is required to hold the dressing in position covering the infected area.

[451 May 2,1972

[54] OCCLUSIVE DRESSING Gladys M. McLaughlin, 8 Westerly Street, Jamaica Plain, Mass. 02130 [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1969 [2|] Appl.No.: 862,395

[72] Inventor:

52 user. ..128/157,l28/l32,l28/l71,

128/294 51 Int.Cl. ..A61f13/10 5s FieldofSearch ..128/l32,l57,l53,535,294,

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Attorney-Robert R. Churchill [57] ABSTRACT The present occlusive dressing is particularly adapted to provide an airtight waterproof dressing for use in covering socalled wet soak bandages and other dressings which include salves and ointments used in the treatment of various skin diseases wherein it is important that air be excluded from the dressed area and moisture and heat retained. The dressing comprises a relatively thin, one-piece latex tube closed at one end and open at the other end and provided with an integral novel retaining band at the open end thereof. The band comprises a plurality of ribs intersecting to form a series of pockets or suction cups. The dressing is rolled or drawn over the dressed wound, for example an injured finger, and is held in position by the suctionlike effect of the pockets against the finger. The ribs provide in effect a series of dam-like ridges which aid in rendering the dressing airtight. No additional tape or other means is required to hold the dressing in position covering the infected area 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 I 3,659,599

occwsrvr: DRESSING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION larly to a covering for dermatological dressings wherein it is important to keep air away from the dressed area, and one which may be applied quickly and efficiently and remain in operative position as long as desired.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior to the present invention, the occlusive dressings of which I am aware include such things as wet soaks," gauze bandages soaked in hot water, hot wet towels placed over the affected areas and wrapped in sheet plastic and held in position by being pinned or taped in place. The attempt has been made by the use of the plastic wrappings to keep the moisture in and the air away from the diseased areas. The prior attempts to accomplish this result has not proved to be as effective as is desired. The prior means used are bulky, permit the water to escape and wet the patients clothing or bed clothing and do not effectively keep the air away from the infected areas, thus reducing the effectiveness of the medication or treatment used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novel and improved occlusive dressing which enables dermatological problems, such as leg ulcers, boils and abscesses, to be treated in a rapid and efficient manner. The invention is particularly adapted to retain heat and moisture against the infected areas being treated and to prevent air from reaching the same. The

present structure further contemplates a one-piece dressing arranged to be produced in various sizes and is adapted to fit various parts of the body, such as hands, fingers, arms and legs, and be self-retaining. In other words, the present dressing needs no additional members, such as tape, pins or other devices, in order to remain in operative position on the patient.

In accordance with the invention, the present device comprises a relatively thin, flexible stretchable tubular sleeve open at one end and closed at the other and embodies at the open end novel means for retaining the dressing in place after it has been applied to the infected areas.

In one embodiment of the invention the retaining portion of the device comprises a plurality of raised ribs intersecting at right angles to form substantially square or rectangular pockets or suction cups and in another embodiment the cups are oval or round.

Accordingly, the invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved occlusive dressing which is characterized by structure which enables the dressing to be rapidly and efficiently applied to cover infected portions of the human body and remain in position without utilizing additional means to keep it in place.

A further object is to provide a dressing particularly adapted for use in the treatment of dermatological problems, such as leg ulcers, boils, and abscesses, wherein it is important to apply wet dressings, either hot or cold, and to retain the moisture and heat and at the same time to exclude air from the treated area. The dressing is also invaluable in the treatment of skin diseases wherein it is important to sweat" salves or medication into the patients skin.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the novel and improved occlusive dressing hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, 10 represents the present novel dressing which comprises a relatively flexible hollow tubular sleeve or sheath portion 12 open at one end 14 and closed at the other end 16. Novel retaining means is provided, as indicated at 18, for holding the dressing in position over and enclosing the area being treated. The retaining means consists of a series of pockets 20 which are herein referred to as suction cups. The suction cups 20 are defined by a series of intersecting ridges or ribs 22 and raised areas 24. It will be understood that the ribs and raised areas are formed integrally with the sheath 12. A semi-rigid stretchable band 26 is provided at the top of the device as shown best in FIG. 1.

The present dressing is preferably'fabricated from a latex rubber material having about the same properties as a prophylatic condom and is elastic, stretchable and resilient so that when drawn over the area being treated conforms generally to that part of the patients body. As shown, the present dressing is in the form of a straight tube having approximately the same diameter throughout its length.

In another form of the invention, not shown, the suction cups 20 are round or oval in shape and are also defined by ribs which conform in shape to the shape of the cups.

In use, the patients infected area, for example his hand, is first dressed by applying either a salve or a wet soak dressing and then the present dressing is rolled over the area completely enclosing the hand. The retaining portion 18 grips the wrist of the patient and is held in position by the suctionlike effect of the cups 20 against the skin.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present dressing provides a novel and improved and highly effective dressing for the treatment of dermatological problems.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A dressing for covering the infected area being treated on a persons body comprising an airtight stretchable elongated tubular portion having an open end and a closed end, and integral means provided at the open end for retaining the dressing in position over the treated infected area, said retaining means comprising a plurality of suction cups defined by intersecting ribs.

2. A dressing as defined in claim 1 wherein the suction cups are square.

3. A dressing as defined in claim 1 wherein the suction cups are oval.

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1. A dressing for covering the infected area being treated on a person''s body comprising an airtight stretchable elongated tubular portion having an open end and a closed end, and integral means provided at the open end for retaining the dressing in position over the treated infected area, said retaining means comprising a plurality of suction cups defined by intersecting ribs.
 2. A dressing as defined in claim 1 wherein the suction cups are square.
 3. A dressing as defined in claim 1 wherein the suction cups are oval. 